Mean Platelet Volume is Associated with Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the platelet indices on the stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: In this retrospective study, the mean platelet valume (MPV), Plateletcrit (PCT), platelet (PLT), and platelet distribution width (PDW) of 199 diabetic patients and 76 healthy subjects were enrolled. The participants were divided into four groups. The first group was healthy control; the second group consisted of diabetic patients without DR; the third group was nonproliferative DR (NPDR); and the fourth group was proliferative DR (PDR). Results: Significant differences were found only in MPV and PCT values between patients with diabetes and healthy participants (8.6±0.96 fL vs 8.32±0.9 fL, P=0.011, 0.216± 0.58 vs 0.202±0.52, P=0.038). Comparing the groups, a statistically significant difference in MPV values was found between groups 4 and 1 (8.91±.7 fL vs 8.32±0.9 fL P=0.001) and between groups 4 and 3 (8.91±.7 fL vs 8.42±0.9 fL P=0.014). The MPV values of patients with DME were significantly higher than those of diabetic patients without DME (8.87±0.80 fL vs 8.45±0.97 fL). Conclusion: High MPV values may be an important risk factor for the development of PDR and DME in patients with diabetic retinopathy.     

稀土对甘蔗增产增糖机理的探讨

以盆栽试验为主,结合大田生产试验来研究稀土微肥对甘蔗增产增糖的机理。研究结果表明,稀土能提高甘蔗叶片叶绿素含量,改善叶片的超微结构,增加叶肉细胞和维管束鞘细胞的叶绿体数,增加叶肉细胞叶绿体中的基粒数和基粒片层数,增大叶片光合膜面积,能促进根系生长,提高根系活力,促进根系对N、P、K等营养元素的吸收;能提高甘蔗体内K、Ca、Zn、Cu等元素的水平,而相对降低Mn、Na等元素的水平;能提高甘蔗伸长期叶片酸性转化酶活性,降低成熟期叶片酸性转化酶活性,提高伸长期及成熟期叶片中性转化酶活性,协调甘蔗的生长和蔗糖分的积累,能调节细胞的渗透压,维持细胞膜结构和功能的稳定性和完整性,增强细胞壁的伸缩性,提高甘蔗的抗旱性;能改善质膜的透性,提高其选择吸收能力,减轻高浓度Na~+的毒害,提高甘蔗的耐盐能力。     

Total-and lipid-associated sialic acid in serum and thrombocytes in patients with chronic heart failure

ObjectivesTo investigate and discuss the total-, lipid-associated, and thrombocyte-sialic acid levels in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.Design and methodsThirty-one chronic heart failure patients and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum total sialic acid (TSA), lipid associated sialic acid (LASA), thrombocyte sialic acid (TrSA) were determined together with the traditional inflammation and prognostic markers.ResultsSerum TSA levels were significantly higher in patient group (3.08 ± 0.33 mmol/L) than control group (2.60 ± 0.17 mmol/L). Serum LASA, homocysteine, high-sensitivity CRP, brain natriuretic peptide and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also significantly higher in patient group. TrSA levels were not significant between the groups.ConclusionTSA and LASA levels increase in CHF, independent from coronary artery disease. TrSA levels were not found to be a prognostic or valuable marker for CHF patients. Acute phase response and lipid associated portions of SA are thought to be responsible for SA rise in CHF.     

Incremental value of live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over the two‐dimensional technique in the assessment of a tuberculoma involving the left atrium and appendage

Intracardiac tuberculomas are extremely rare, and cardiac involvement in tuberculosis accounts for only 0.5% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We report for the first time incremental value of live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over two‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of a tuberculoma involving the left atrium and left atrial appendage.